Vintage Bamboo Fly Rods, Reels, and Tackle

The following are ‘Vintage’ rods and other classic tackle that I have for sale. If you have an interest in any of them, be sure to contact me for availability and any questions you may have, or if you need photographs.. This inventory is subject to change as additional rods & reels are acquired and others are sold. Reasonable offers will be respectfully considered.

Dr. Paul Hermann Rod Collection

We are priviledged to have been asked by Paul to sell his significant bamboo rod collection. He was a dear friend and fly fisher. As many of you know, he passed away in November, 2016, and we miss him dearly. Here is a list of the rods he asked me to sell. Please contact me for more details on any of them or if you need photos.

Lots of Affordable Rods...

I acquired a small collection of rods, all of which are priced under $500. Let me know if you have an interest in any and I can provide more details. Time just doesn't permit me to add photos of each rod, but I'll be happy to send some to you. I've listed them below:1. 8 1/2' Orvis "Battenkill", 2/2, for #9 lines, in good condition with bag and labeled tube, serial #52345. $4002. 8 1/2' Orvis "Special", 2/2, red wraps, serial #36145, butt has been varnished (not tips), bag and labeled tube, for #7 lines. $3003. 9 1/2' F. E. Thomas "Dirigo". 3/2, c. 1934, One tip is a replacement, original tip is 1 1/4" short, new guides and wraps & varnish. $2504. 9' Cunningham, 3/1, dark amoniated bamboo, blued brass reel seat, old bag and fiber tube. Possibly British origin. $755. 8 1/2' "Top Flyte" made by Phillipson, 3/2, excellent condition, bag and original fiber tube with Colorado Tackle Co. label. $3006. 9' Horrocks Ibotson Fly Rod, 3/1, gray bag and tube, $757. Montague "Splitswitch" with detachable handle. A fly/cast combo rod, 3/2, with agate stripper. $100

9' George Halstead

Priced at $1000

Made by the reknown George Halstead, this 3/2 rod is probably suited for #7 lines and has a strong dry fly action. It features richly flamed bamboo, random nodes, an agate stripper with early wire frame, a screw down-locking reel seat with Halstead's stamping on the locking ring, a curly African wood spacer, lightly blued ferrules that seat fully and pop when taken apart, and a 7" slightly tapered cigar shaped handle. A few cork rings have ridges but are far from needing to be replaced. The wraps are translucent brown and appear to be re-done since some of them have threads over-lapping. There is also one snake guide missing from the mid section. All sections are full length and straight. Compleating this rod is the original dark green bag and brass-capped tube. One 'ventilation' hole has been drilled at each end of the tube. One tip has a pair of 1" pieces of bamboo spliced into it, using resorcinol glue (see photo below). This type of repair was professionally done and I don't detect any weakness there. Under the nearby snake guide is some rust stain from the previous guide. While not perfect, this is an opportunity to own a Halstead that is fishable as is or can be repaired if you prefer.

New: 7 1/2' Aroner "Hunt Pattern" 5-Wt. Fly Rod

Priced at $3975

This is a mint, never used, 3-piece, 2-tip rod from one of the acknowledged masters in the field, Marc Aroner. It still has the tissue paper covering the cork handle. This rod features evenly flamed bamboo shafts, bronze snake guides, a carboloy stripping guide, translucent 'candy apple' red wraps tipped with orange silk, Marc's own bright nickel silver ferrule in the Super-Z style (truncated), and a 3 3/4" walnut reel seat with cap and ring hardware (not stamped). As with all Marc's rods, this one shows his excellent craftsmanship, perfect ferrule fit, and glasslike varnish finish. It is made for #5 lines and has a dry fly action. The original tan bag and brass-capped tube complete this outstanding model. Priced below Marc's current price, so don't miss this opportunity to own one of Marc's great rods.

12 1/2' F. E. Thomas Salmon Fly Rod- Reduced to $450- SOLD

This 3-piece, 2-tip rod is in amazing original condition. It was made in 1936 and has a simple diamond stamp on the butt cap. It appears this rod is almost un-used. There is only light soiling on the cork handles. It features brown silk wraps, bright nickel silver ferrules, flat disk style ferrule plugs, an agate stripping guide, reverse twist snake guides, and a nickel silver screw down-locking reel seat with the FE Thomas stamping. The bamboo is lightly flamed and the varnish on the butt and mid sections has some light bag marks that could easily be polished out. One signature wrap on the butt and one on the mid are missing but easily replaced. This would make an excellent display rod and could also be used for salmon and steelhead. It comes with the original aluminum tip tube (with chromed cap) and canvas sack with tag. All sections are full length and straight.

D. Whitehead 7 1/2' Dry Fly Rod. $1700-SOLD

Made in the 2-piece, 2- tip format, this rod is in mint (unfished) condition. Mr. Whitehead made this rod in 1991 and had the butt cap and sliding band tastefully engraved. The reel seat is an ultra fancy burled walnut with a glossy finish. The varnish is perfect and demonstrates Darrell's skilled workmanship. All sections are very straight and of equal length. The main wraps are cinnamon brown and tipped with thin gold silk. Completing this rod is a red agate stripper. It has a crisp dry fly action and comes with the original bag and tube.

REELS

Edward Vom Hofe Reels

Model 423 "Restigouche" size 4/0. Made from 1941 on, this has the Philadelphia stamping and aluminum reel foot. Side plates are in fine condition with no cracks and the nickel silver rims have slight tarnish. RHW. Patent date May 29, '02. Single action. Slight play in spool that may be how it was made. 3 7/8" x 1 11/16". Has original cardboard box.7-point drag. $2000.

Model 504 "Tobique" Size 2/0 Multiplier. Made in 1911 with serial #D170. It is in very good plus original condition with patent date May 20, '02. 7-point drag with anti-clicker button and initials "W.B." in red on the back plate. A tight and smooth reel. 3 3/8" x 1 3/8". RHW. No blemishes in side plates or rims. Has leather bag.$2800.- SOLD

Otto Zwarg Reels

O. Zwarg Model 300, 2/0, "Saguenay". Made in St. Petersburg, Florida, this reel emulates it's Edw. Vom Hofe pedigree with nickel silver rims, black hard rubber side plates, 7-point drag, S-shaped handle, and sliding anti-clicker button. Both plates are blemish free and the rims have a couple very minor nicks. About 5 screw heads show some use but it is only noticeable up close. It has serial number J92. 3 3/8" x 1 5/16". RHW. A great salmon/steelhead reel ready to fish. $2000.

O. Zwarg Model 400, 3/0 "Laurentian" Multiplier Salmon Reel. This great EVH-style reel is in excellent original condition with blemish-free side plates, 7-point drag, clicker button on the back plate, and S-shaped handle. The nickel silver rims have light tarnish and one very light scuff mark which could probably be polished out. The spool is tight and one edge of the reel foot might have been filed on one side. RHW. 3 5/8" x 1 7/16". One of the all-time classic salmon reels... $2500..

Hardy Flyweight w/ spare spool

This light reel is in near mint condition. It and the spare spool come with their original boxes and the reel has the black vinyl case with papers. Lines included are: Sci-Anglers Ultra DT-3F, and peach colored Air Cell WF-5. Looks like 1980's vintage. $280 (which is very reasonable for such a quality reel).

Hardy LRH Lightweight

This reel has a new Orvis Wonderland WF-6-F line, only a hint of rim wear, and new spare spool. Original blue & cream vinyl case & papers. $300

Hardy Flyweight

This later model has the single screw line guard. It looks new and includes a new Orvis WF-4-F line and blue & cream vinyl case. $325

2 7/8" Hardy Uniqua

This early reel has a nicely worn leaded patina and is just right for #4 lines. It has an oval badge stamped "Made For Abercrombie & Fitch" and the "horseshoe" latch. The handle may have been professionally repaired and there is some light play in the spool but is not noticeable when fishing. It has a ribbed brass foot that has not been altered. Included is a wool-lined clamshell suede leather case. A great fishing and nice looking reel for only $250.